Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Introduction

The Purpose of GIS GIS Definitions GIS Workflow The Real World Representation of GIS Maps Databases Spatial Databases Capabilities of GIS Content

We want to understand what is going on in our world, and this is why we study the phenomena of geographic change. The Purpose of GIS

The three important stages of working with geographic data: 1.Data preparation and entry: The early stage in which data about the study phenomenon is collected and prepared to be entered into the system. 2.Data analysis: The middle stage in which collected data is carefully reviewed, and, for instance, attempts are made to discover patterns. 3.Data presentation: The final stage in which the results of earlier analysis are presented in an appropriate way.

GIS Definition A system of hardware, software, data, people, organizations and institutional arrangements for collecting, storing, analyzing, and disseminating information about areas of the earth. A geographic information system as a computerized system that facilitates the phases of data entry, data analysis and data presentation especially in cases when we are dealing with georeferenced data. A similar definition:

GIS Principle

GIS Workflow

The real world and representations of it Maps Databases Spatial databases

The real world and representations of it